Rev and Mrs Liebenberg, shortly before his retirement Dutch Reformed Congregation Reverends J P Liebenberg and A P Burger joined the commandos, at the beginning of the war, with a view to spiritual ministering. Later both were taken as prisoners–of-war. After Rev Liebenberg came back in 1902 and after he had made shelter arrangements, he went to Stellenbosch in December 1902 to collect his wife and son. Damage due to the war cost the church much, i.e. ₤2 835 (R5 670). ₤1 000 (R2 000) was paid. Rev H S Bosman, former Moderator of the Synod, took the cornerstone laying ceremony of the new church on 22 August 1903 at the square. From 25 February 1905 started the proceedings to the dedication of the new church. Rev Liebenberg, assisted by his wife, herself a trained teacher, did everything in their powers to stir up interest in school and education. Rev Liebenberg had an important part in the arrival of the famous Mr P I Hoogenhout to Bethal Government School. Very soon, the church residence Euodia, currently being rebuilt, and broken to form the Silver Years – old age home, was set up as girls’ dormitory. With Rev J P Liebenberg’s initiative and zeal, supported by his church council, the high school’s dormitories were named: Ons Toekoms (Our Future) and Liebenhof (Court of love) in the early twenties. On 25 January 1936, the Transvaal Provincial Administration took over the residences because of the church’s financial inability to maintain it. Daughter congregations arose with the growth and expanse of the Transvaal’s Church in the countryside (platteland). So it was split into: Morgenzon (1911), Morgenzon (1912), Hendrina (1916) and Charl Cillers (1917). NG Modergemeente (The NG Mother Congregation) 74
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